Paloudeh – Cantaloupe smoothie

There is simply no shortage of creative and pleasing beverage choices in Persian cuisine!

In this refreshing drink, cantaloupe is instantaneously elevated with a splash of rosewater syrup and crushed ice, making an irresistible treat for hot summer days.

Persian culture has a deeply-rooted and rich tradition (mehmoon navazi in Farsi) of offering various treats to our guests. In the summertime, these will inevitably include the “cooling” beverages such as Sharbat and Paloudeh.

I personally love having a supply of rosewater syrup handy in my fridge so that I can add it directly to Paloudeh. Though not necessarily traditional, I equally love to drizzle the syrup over fresh fruit or pancakes, and even use it as a mixer in cocktails!

However, to make life easier when you don’t have time to make the syrup (even though it only takes 10 minutes!), you can just sprinkle a couple of teaspoons of sugar or honey along with a teaspoon of rosewater directly into each glass before serving Paloudeh.

Paloudeh vs Faloudeh

I know I can’t possibly be the only Iranian who has used these terms interchangeably, but are they actually the same?

The short answer is no!

Paloudeh is the blended drink that I am sharing with you in this post. Faloudeh, however, is another traditional Persian cold dessert made of semi-frozen thin vermicelli-sized starch noodles that are topped with chilled rosewater syrup. Faloudeh is often served with tart lime juice and a syrup of Albaloo, which are Persian sour cherries.

The city of Shiraz, known for its mouth-watering contributions to Persian cuisine, is also known for its own version of Faloudeh. The semi-frozen starch noodles are topped with fresh lime juice, sour cherry syrup, and ground pistachios, and often garnished with a sprig of fresh mint.

With its green limes and mint, white noodles, and red cherries, Faloudeh is a national dessert which coincidentally reflects the colors of our Iranian flag.

Colors!

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Paloudeh

Omid Roustaei, The Caspian Chef
Cantaloupe smoothie
4.96 from 21 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Persian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

Rose syrup

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup rose water

Paloudeh

  • 1 small cantaloupe, chilled and grated (about 3 cups)
  • 8 tablespoons rose syrup, adjust to your taste
  • ice cubes, as needed

Garnish

  • fresh mint leaves

Instructions
 

Rose Syrup

  • In a small saucepan bring the water and sugar to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Add the rose water, stir and remove from the heat
  • Pour the syrup into an appropriately-sized jar, and store in the fridge.

Paloudeh

  • In a large bowl mix the grated cantaloupe with rose syrup and enough ice for 4 servings.
  • Select 4 decorative glasses and use a ladle to fill each glass with the Paloudeh mixture.
  • Garnish with fresh mint leaves and serve immediately.

Notes

A larger amount of the rose syrup can be prepared and stored in the fridge for future use. 
Keyword beverage, cantaloupe, drinks, honey dew, paloudeh
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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